Arya II
Arya lay silently in her bed, half asleep and half awake. She had been afraid to go asleep. I always dream the same horrible dream. Arya always not only saw, but felt, the great fire of Winterfell's feast hall over and over again. She always saw the curtains go ablaze, she always saw the stampede of men running onto the fallen women and saw as their bodies became bloody and battered as a small army of people crushed them in their hurry to escape. Arya always felt the great oppressive heat; she always woke up drenched in sweat, no matter how cold it actually was. But most importantly, Arya always saw her. My dear Myrcella. Arya thought it was stupid that she imagined Myrcella, who was the one that had actually rescued her, burning in the great vile flames, and it horrified her completely every time she saw it. Arya could not stomach seeing that sight, not that. Just try to stay awake.
Arya stayed awake, waiting. Just wait until dawn comes. Arya strived to get past her bad dreams by staying awake, but so far, despite her vows, she always seemed to doze off. It is not until she sees the fiery halls that she realises that she has dozed off. It is such a stupid thing to think about. I was not even awake during the fire. All Arya could truly remember was waking up from fitful coughs in the snow, seeing the great blaze from where she was just eating. Arya simply could not truly remember what happened before she fell asleep. The dreams were just her fears of what she thought had happened. But Arya smiled as she realised a great memory always came to her every time she woke back up. Being told that Myrcella was the reason I was alive. After the first time she told the young Queen after sneaking into her bed about her dreams, she just wanted to have the nightmares end forever. She knew she could not wake up the young Queen every time she dreamt of the fire so she would just have to do her best and outgrow it. I am a Stark I can deal with a few bad dreams.
Arya just lay there, staring across at the small candle flickering. It was a small flame, but Arya simply could not deal with the darkness. She looked across her room and saw the silhouettes of her Father's two guards standing silently outside her pavilion. They were large fearsome men, and Arya felt safe just watching them. Arya looked at the candle again and began softly thinking about the day. The boredom of being stuck in the chariot for most of the day, but also how lovely the fresh air felt as we were allowed out of the chariot to play outside. Myrcella's sweet smile towards me when she was riding on her pony. Arya began thinking about her Queen. It was not particularly late when the Queen was summoned to sup with her mother, and normally she bade her goodnight before she went to sleep, but Myrcella didn't. That felt odd to Arya. Something happened tonight. Arya did not forget Sansa being summoned to speak to the Queen Mother and leaving in a fit of tears. Arya raged at the thought,but it wasn't just the Queen Mother, there was tension elsewhere. Father's glances towards the Kingslayer. It was no secret that Arya's Father despised the man who murdered the man he was sworn to protect. But there was something else, not just Father's loathing. Father had specifically made her swear not to sneak into the Queen's part of the camp, and not to even go there unless accompanied by his household guards. Arya did not wish to upset her Father so she just stayed lying restlessly in her bed.
Arya grew angry at her unpleasant thoughts. I just want to think about the good times. Arya was lying there in the dark; it had been hours since Father gently tucked her into her bed and placed the guards outside. She was impatient for the sun to rise and the start of another day travelling southwards to the capital. But I can wait, just. Arya shifted her thoughts towards her Queen. All Arya wanted was to just be in the same room as her, admiring her pretty face. Watching her act courteously around Sansa, doing all the things a young Queen should do around everyone. But Arya smiled as she saw Myrcella's smile in her head, her special smile. I have only ever seen Myrcella give that smile to me. Arya imagined it, that wonderful mixture of kind-heartedness, nervousness and a hidden secret. A strange small secret that Myrcella would seemingly only share with her. Arya imagined it again. Arya smiled as she saw it in her head. Myrcella's beautiful golden hair flapping wildly by the strong Northern winds. Her carefree Emerald eyes sparkling. But also that smile, staring straight at her. Arya imagined seeing it forever and ever, thoughts of her Mother's description of the seven Heaven's followed in her mind. Myrcella's smile is my heaven. Arya smiled at the thoughts, thinking about tomorrow…Boom.
The loud boom from outside awoke Arya from her half-dream. Her senses were heightened, and she pulled her covers over her face as she saw the distinct silhouette of Alyn slumped on the ground. Unmoving. With a horrible thick ooze flowing greedily out from his neck. Alyn's dead. Another body silently slumped on top of Alyn's immediately afterwards. Both of the guards outside her pavilion were dead, Arya knew immediately. However any thoughts Arya had from the images of the slumped bodies were shattered as a man stalked inside her pavilion. The man came in with a horrible great grimace as he softly bade Arya to stay silent. The vile stench of the man immediately overpowered her. Arya had never smelt anything so truly horrid. It smelt worse than before the hound's kennels were cleaned at Winterfell. Arya did not even want to know where this man had just been.
But it was not just the smell that stunned her. Arya was transfixed by the pointy dagger in the man's hand. It was drenched in blood. Alyn's blood. Drops of it were falling in great splotches on the ground of her pavilion. But it wasn't the dagger that struck great horror in Arya's heart. It was the bottle sticking out from the man's pocket. Arya's eyes grew wide as saucers as she saw that the small bottle had a clear transparent liquid inside of it. That's what they gave Prince Joffrey to burn and die. Arya could only watch in horror as this man menaced his way towards her.
The man came over to Arya and said in a soft voice barely above a whisper: "Don't make a sound. If you're silent I would do you the kindness of killing you quick and proper. If not, well…" The man nodded towards his small bottle. Arya's body froze whilst thinking about the horrors. No, not that. Anything but that.
The man gave a bitter smile as he saw the fear in Arya's eyes: "I know, I know. I was told that would frighten you. Be quiet sweet girl and this will all be over soon." The man had put his clammy grubby hands onto Arya's thigh and in a great fit of rage Arya with all of her might punched the man square on the nose. A great explosion of blood covered Arya's entire face immediately. Without thinking Arya wildly pounded and punched the man as quickly and as powerfully as she could possibly muster, every muscle inside her body was going at its maximum strength. Arya was trying her absolute hardest as she attacked the man but the man quickly overpowered her and Arya saw it coming but it felt so disconnected, so far away as he raised his hand.
CRUNCH. The man connected a solid punch on Arya's cheekbone and her own blood flowed freely on her face alongside the blood of the man that landed from his shattered nose.
The man got back to his feet and towered above her as she lay in a heap. The punch had stunned her but she could see the man, he was blurry but she could see him.
The man still spoke quietly but he said clearly: "I have not got much time, but I will enjoy fucking you and gutting you like a pig."
"GET OFF OF HER NOW!" I know that voice. The voice was loud but also sounded so far away. Arya turned her head and she saw her. She looks different than she did just earlier.
Queen Myrcella's face was so stern and angry, but Arya did not see her face there for long as Myrcella ran angrily into the pavilion and all Arya could see was a blond blur of wind running up towards her. As soon as Myrcella was standing over her, Arya could see her clearly. Myrcella looked so strong, so beautiful; so much as a young Queen should be as she ran up straight to the man's face.
Arya could hear the man mumbling, "You weren't supposed to be here." The voice was still quiet but Arya could tell that a great panic overtook him.
"Get out of this tent now and I will let you live, if not I will have you killed on the spot." Myrcella's voice was unwavering. She has got the Lord's voice. Arya softly laughed at herself for such a thought. She is a Queen, not a Lord. My Queen and she is there for me again. Arya in her bloody daze could not believe that these were the words of an eight year old girl who laughed at Arya's stupid japes and hung to her every word.
Arya's eyes were blurry from the punch but she saw that the man's face turned pale from fear and he mumbled, "This…This is not right, this is not the agreement, this is not what…was agreed." Agreed? "You should not meddle in your elder's business little girl." The man pointed absurdly at Myrcella, who only looked at him with confusion and disgust. This man is a fool, and a catspaw. The man was panicking further now. He was fumbling around in his pocket. He eyed the small candle. Arya saw it too.
"No…" Arya croaked with all of her dazed energy.
The man quickly threw the contents of the bottle over the tent and threw the candle on it. The fire blazed over it instantly and the man ran at full speed out of the tent. Arya panicked and all the energy came back to her as she screamed from the blaze.
Myrcella picked her up and screamed, "We need to get out of here Arya now!" Myrcella was a small delicate eight year old girl and she struggled with Arya's weight. Arya saw this and with all the strength in her body she moved one foot in front of the other. Myrcella pulled the barely moving Arya with all of her might. The fire blazed over the pavilion's doorway, but as it went over it, Myrcella pushed her out with a strong shove. The heat was incredible, Arya could feel the heat of the flame through her, but as Arya landed on the ground outside, she realised she was alive. I'm not burning. Arya smiled softly at the thought but her smile grew huge and throbbed greatly on her bloody cheekbone as she saw Myrcella run through the burning opening of her pavilion and pulled her hand and dragged her further to safety within seemingly a moment.
Myrcella dragged Arya from the ground, as all Arya could hear was the loud sound of men beginning to scream: "FIRE!"
Myrcella dragged her and picked up her arm and put it over her shoulder. "Arya, I need you to walk." Myrcella called out to her. Arya was just so happy hearing Myrcella's voice again. Arya found the strength to gingerly move one foot in front of the other. As they walked Arya looked at Myrcella's face. All Arya could do was smile. Relief washed over her face. Myrcella saw Arya's look and she smiled back at her. With that special smile of hers. Arya's heart seemed to melt just at that sight. Arya could drown in Myrcella's eyes as they stared soulfully and straight at her but Arya could hear that a great number of men began to surround them.
Arya noticed the men, most bearing the Direwolf of House Stark, but Arya looked over at her Queen and said softly: "Myrcella?"
Myrcella turned her head. She looked so concerned, but so comforting. All Myrcella could say was, "What is it Arya?"
Arya's mind was a complete jumble, a million different thoughts rushed through her head, jumping over each other. But Arya gazed straight into Myrcella's beautiful green eyes and everything calmed down.
Arya looked at Myrcella and without a single thought she quickly gave her a kiss on the cheek. Smears of blood went onto Myrcella's beautiful face from the kiss. Arya regretted it immediately as she saw the blood blemish Myrcella's beautiful face.
"I'm so sorry your Grace." But then Myrcella kissed Arya back on her unhurt cheek.
"It's okay Arya, it will all be okay." Tears were flowing freely from Myrcella's eyes as she said those words. But they were not sad tears. Arya knew they were tears of joy. Myrcella pulled Arya into a hug and despite all the horrors and the throbbing pain from the punch, everything felt alright. The hug was warm and all Arya could hear despite the chaos was Myrcella quietly whispering to her: "I love you. I love you so much Arya."
Arya could only whisper back: "I love you too." The pain was beginning to be felt from the bleeding cheekbone, but Arya could not resist giving Myrcella one more soft kiss on the cheek and she whispered: "Thank you for everything."
As Myrcella smiled tenderly from the kiss, Arya saw from the corner of her eye in the distance her father and Jon running greatly at them as a great mass of guards, both Lannister and Stark crowded over them entirely now. Arya could see the blaze already being put out by diligent servants, and she saw Father moving close to them. He looked at her, Arya smiled but Father dropped down to his knees and his face dropped into a great sadness as he saw her face. Father wordlessly hugged Arya tightly.
"Arya, you're hurt. Who did this to you?"
Arya could not formulate words, but Myrcella sense Arya's anxiety and she quickly said in a great hurry: "A dangerous man, a beast in human skin, he started the fire… I have no idea where he is, but…"
Father hugged Myrcella as well as his daughter and Jon also knelt down and wordlessly hugged his sister. Arya saw the stream of tears running down his face as his arms smothered her. Jon just watched Arya, his eyes watery but a sad smile formed on his lips. He did this before during the fire. Arya just hugged her brother back silently.
Father got up and already Arya could see men gathering horses and torches. They will ride that man down. Arya could see Myrcella's small dwarf Uncle Tyrion waddling as quickly as he could, breathless.
Tyrion just went up to his niece and hugged her, mumbling: "Thank the heavens, you're safe." The imp's hug was strong and the Queen looked content at her Uncle's touch.
Father looked straight at the little man and said sternly: "Where's your brother, the one who is actually a Queensguard?"
Tyrion looked down to the ground as he let his arms off of Myrcella, Tyrion's mismatched eyes stared straight at Father and said: "My brother is preparing a search party for this beast."
Tyrion looked at his niece: "Your Uncle Jaime loves you, but he fears time is of the essence. This wretch most likely knows this land intimately and probably has his favourite spots to hide. We want justice to be done on this monster and cannot abide such a man to escape into the night."
Tyrion looked at Arya; Arya paused as she really noticed how strange the mismatched eyes looked. It's as if there are two different windows to his soul. Two different men in that small body. "You have suffered greatly Arya Stark. But it is over, you are safe now." He looked at the young Queen; she was trying desperately to avoid her Uncle's eyes. The imp just put his hand on Myrcella's chin and gave a heart-warming smile that instantly put her mind at ease: "You both are."
Father and Jon softly walked Arya and the young Queen to the great Stark pavilion with Tyrion Lannister following in a deferential manner. As they were walking Arya could see Ser Jaime in the distance on top of a horse with a pack of men. Myrcella noticed her Uncle and Ser Jaime nodded his head towards his monarch and Myrcella sternly nodded it back. Ser Jaime rode out into the night in pursuit of the would-be killer. Arya saw how tough Myrcella's features looked but Myrcella looked at Arya and her face softened instantly.
They had walked in the pavilion and already Arya could see Sansa and Bran. Bran ran up to Arya and gave her a big hug. Sansa walked softly towards them and she hugged Arya as well.
Father looked at them with his soft fatherly voice and said not unkindly: "Bran, Sansa you should really be in bed right now." Arya noticed that Bran and Sansa were wearing their sleeping clothes and looked like they had only been awake since the fire started, with all the sleep in their eyes.
Sansa looked up at her Father and said with her iron courtesy: "We are Stark's, Father. We always look out for one another." Father's breathing grew hard and all protest had already disappeared from his body. Sansa turned towards the Queen and looked shocked and said: "Your Grace, you're hurt too."
Myrcella looked stunned but she put a hand over her face and felt Arya's blood that smudged onto her face when Arya kissed her as she then looked at Arya and said: "No…I'm fine. This is Arya's blood on my face.
Arya turned around and saw Septa Mordane and other servants running towards her with pails of water and cloths of water with a new shirt for Arya to wear to replace the blood splattered shirt she had on now. Arya had never seen the elderly Septa move so fast in her life, but before she could be amused by the visual the Septa firmly put a damp piece of soapy water over her bleeding wound. Sharp pain shot itself throughout Arya's body as she closed her eyes to avoid anyone seeing her crying and she squeezed the young Queen's hand tightly.
The Septa was very efficient and quickly washed the wound as well as the rest of the catspaw's blood that covered Arya's face. The septa said deferentially to her Lord: "Arya's wound is not particularly deep, it will scab over very quickly but it will swell up grotesquely very quickly."
Arya opened her eyes and looked straight at the elderly Septa: "Bruises do not bother me."
The smile the Septa shot Arya was surprisingly kind. Far kinder than the Septa ever gave her before as she said not unkindly: "I know they don't Lady Arya."
They gave Arya a new shirt and Arya let go of Myrcella's hand and walked into the quiet privacy of her Father's bedroom and she quickly changed her blood splattered shirt for the new clean one. As soon as Arya returned back to the centre of the room, she had seen that the Septa had cleaned her own blood off of the Queen's face and afterwards the Septa and the small army of servants were courteously dismissed by her father. Arya felt clean and everyone else was not looking at her with the same level of horror and fear that they had earlier. Myrcella put her hand back by Arya and Arya held the hand gratefully. As soon as that happened Arya could see a tall Knight in suit mail by the door of the Pavilion, with the sigil of the Royal Crown over his armour. Arya immediately recognised the frame of Ser Meryn Trant.
Ser Meryn Trant entered the tent. He looks distracted. The man was big, and looked like he would gladly be anywhere else right now. He was sweating profusely despite just being outside on a strong windy night in the North. He looked down at the ground and said hurriedly: "Your Grace, your Mother the Queen Regent is quite unwell, so she is sorry to hear about your assault Lady Arya, but cannot physically appear right now." Arya was stunned at the similarities between this knight and the catspaw that attacked her. Both seem to be very nervous, he rushed that message quickly. Arya looked at the Queen. Myrcella looked furious at her Queensguard. She really does not want to hear her Mother's name right now.
The Queen looked at her Knight and brusquely said: "I will be here with the Lady Arya tonight." Myrcella looked at Arya and immediately softened up and gave her special smile towards her. Arya just looked at Myrcella and could only smile back at her as she felt like she was melting in her wonderful eyes.
Myrcella had to turn her head back to the knight and said in a stern fashion: "Ser Meryn, tell my mother I shall see her in the morning."
The knight turned ghostly pale. His eyes nervously darted from his Queen, Lord Stark and Tyrion Lannister. He was taking deep breathes, not helped as Arya noticed from her Father's and the Imp's cool looks towards him. Something is wrong, very wrong.
"Yes, your…Grace… I must go." Ser Meryn walked hurriedly out of the tent, walking and then outrightly running towards Myrcella's mother's tent. Arya saw her Father and Tyrion sharing looks of mutual contempt at the knight's erratic behaviour.
"Was that just me or was that exchange bafflingly strange?" Arya's Father asked out of genuine curiosity to the Imp.
"Very strange indeed, Lord Stark. But I am afraid Ser Meryn is a coward and a fool. Always has been. No doubt the fire startled him greatly." The dwarf sniggered, but calmed himself and said: "Ser Boros is scarcely better, another craven. How King Robert consented for Ser Meryn to be his Kingsguard the Seven only knows."
Father gave Tyrion an icy cold look. Tyrion got the meaning straight away, and looked away with barely concealed annoyance. It's hardly fair to criticise Ser Meryn and Ser Boros when your brother is the Kingslayer.
To his credit, Tyrion looked at Father defiantly and said: "Oh yes my dear brother Jaime is a Kingslayer, he has shamed his vows but my brother can both fight and lead great armies to battle, as Ser Meryn and Ser Boros cannot." Tyrion looked around at everyone in the pavilion, and seemed to soften somewhat. "It is very late Lord Stark and I think some rest would do all of us some good."
Tyrion looked at his niece and said: "Are you sure you want to still stay by Arya's side tonight, she is quite safe now sweet child."
Myrcella looked at her friend and gave her a brave smile. Arya's reciprocal smile was small and nervous in comparison. Myrcella looked again at her Uncle and said: "I am sure Uncle. I shall see you in the morning."
Tyrion gave his niece a big strong hug and a soft kiss on her cheek: "I am always so proud of you my dear. Get yourself some rest." He looked at Arya and said with ponderous courtesy: "All my thoughts and prayers are with you Lady Arya, but you seem to have resilience in you young child. I know you shall be fine."
Arya could only stare at the strange man as he bowed respectfully to his Queen and to the Stark's and quietly walked back to his own accommodation with a score of Lannister guardsmen.
Arya averted her eyes from the dwarf and looked up at her Father. Father looked grave and seemed to have all the energy from his bones sucked out of him.
He looked at Arya and then to the rest of his children and said softly: "It is very late children, I think it would do everyone great good if we all got some rest for the night."
Everyone looked at Father and without words all of his children came up and gave Arya a very strong group hug. Arya was squashed but felt great comfort that everyone was there. Bran looked kindly but helpless as only a little brother could. Sansa looked sorrowful, Jon was clearly furious at the situation but great relief was all over his face. Myrcella just seemed thankful for how the night ended up. Arya noticed that Father's relief masked great fear in his eyes. Father is afraid. Arya was not used to that idea. If Father is afraid, what does that say about everyone else?
Arya's Father went up to each of his children gave them a soft kiss on the forehead and said: "Jon will take you to your quarters; I shall see you all tomorrow." Arya saw her father look at Jory Cassel and said: "Quadruple the number of guards by my children's tents tonight." Jory nodded and shouted instructions to the other guards.
Bran and Sansa gave their farewells and waved at Arya. Arya waved back softly. As soon as everyone was gone from sight Father sat down on his chair and gave a massive sigh of relief.
"I cannot believe what has happened tonight." Father said as he just slumped on his chair. Arya was amazed as her Father seemed to have aged within just a few moments. Father looked at Arya and calmly said: "This has been a very trying night, but you know that I love you and I am always here for you Arya."
Tears welled up in Arya's eyes as Myrcella gave her a smile, releasing her hand as she went up and hugged her father. The hug was soothing and protecting. Arya always felt so at ease around her Father and the love warmed Arya's bones.
"I love you Arya; I love you so much, never ever forget that." Father had said. Arya felt calm, but Father had softly let go and looked at Arya in the eyes with a sad calmness. He has put his Lordly face on. "There are many men hunting the man who did this to you. You shall likely see this man again soon, maybe tonight or tomorrow. These are hard times Arya, and you your Grace. Winter is coming." Arya nodded as Myrcella watched the Lord in a sombre manner. "Will you be brave enough to confront this man when he is apprehended?"
Arya looked straight into her Father's eyes and nodded before she could squeak out: "Yes Father."
Father hugged Arya again and Arya felt peace of mind. I will be brave enough to face that man again. Time seemed to skip past in great abandon as Jon returned to the pavilion after ensuring that the other Stark's got back to their beds safely. Everyone was solemn and was watching each other in a quiet awkwardness, until Jon had the courage to say something.
"Queen Myrcella, I must know. How did you get to Arya's quarters so fast?" Jon had asked his Monarch.
Myrcella looked surprisingly diminutive to Arya, like she had become an eight year old girl again instead of the bold Queen that she had become.
Myrcella looked at Jon and said: "I just felt it." Myrcella took a deep breath and mumbled: "I just wish I had the sense to get there earlier before that brute attacked you Arya. I'm so sorry, so sorry. I cannot believe that happened to you…"
Myrcella's eyes began to water and Myrcella furiously tried to bat the tears away but Arya hugged Myrcella and whispered: "Shhh, it's alright Myrcella. It is all alright." Arya gave Myrcella a quick peck on the cheek and Myrcella calmed down from Arya's touch and her eyes dried quickly enough.
Arya noticed her Father and Jon gave one another a strange quizzical look, but the look was quickly gone.
"Do you want to sleep in my quarters tonight Arya? I fear I won't be having a single moment's rest." Father said to Arya gravely. Arya knew that she did not have her own bed anymore, and though it was a horrible shock. Arya knew she needed some rest.
"Yes Father, may Queen Myrcella keep me company for the night?" Arya asked her Father plaintively. I need her tonight, even just for tonight.
Father looked at Jon and then back to both of the girls and said: "That's up to the Queen to decide, Arya."
"Of course I will stay with Arya." Myrcella answered back immediately as she turned her gaze to Arya and offered her hand again. Arya took the hand gratefully.
Father smiled and said: "As you wish. I will be sitting out here in case you need anything okay."
The girls nodded and they bade goodnight to Father and to Jon and both girls quickly walked into the separated bedroom that was covered by a curtain. They had shut the curtain and Arya immediately fell onto the bed. Tiredness and exhaustion ran across her body, but as soon as she hit the bed she saw the wonderful image of Myrcella standing proudly over her. Arya was speechless at how truly beautiful Myrcella was, even in the darkened room. All Arya could see was Myrcella's smile towards her as she looked down softly at her. Arya felt so protected and that feeling increased greatly as Myrcella crawled into the bed and lay down right beside her and cuddled her.
The touch alone melted Arya like snow on a warm morning. I could gladly be in this hug forever. Arya's smile was lazy, despite the pain that was generating from her throbbing cheekbone.
"How are you doing Arya?" Myrcella whispered to her. Arya smiled as despite the pain and the great fear from that brute killing her guard's and burning down the tent, she was alive. Alive and with Myrcella. Arya knew that her thoughts for her Queen were not normal. That what she felt for Myrcella was not something two little girls normally shared. That these feelings are for husbands and wives. But Arya did not care. Arya had never felt so comfortable around anyone else, particularly someone who was not her blood.
"I'm fine, Myrcella. I truly am." Arya felt at peace and she knew she just had to say it: "Thank you, for everything tonight. Everything you did….and everything you said."
Myrcella's hug grew tighter as she murmured, "I meant everything Arya. I love you."
Despite the pain Arya's smile grew massive as she turned around and looked straight at Myrcella. Myrcella's smile was equally as big and her Emerald eyes were outright sparkling.
They both leant in and gave a tender kiss on the lips. It was a quick kiss but Arya felt like she was in Heaven and Arya looked in Myrcella's eyes and humongous smile and she knew that Myrcella had felt the same happiness.
"You have made me very happy Myrcella. I love you." Arya said in a soft hush.
"And you have made me happy too Arya." Myrcella said. They both just looked at one another and smiled. Arya had never felt so secure, so content. Myrcella looked at her softly and said, "Let's get some sleep Arya, we got a long day ahead of us." Myrcella gave Arya another kiss. "Goodnight."
Arya could only mumble: "Goodnight." Myrcella moved and hugged the back of Arya's body. They both lay down on Father's soft bed and Arya knew that the dreams would not bother her. Arya knew that whoever wanted her dead would not succeed. Arya knew that whatever other challenges and threats existed out there, she would always have Myrcella. And Myrcella will always have me. Arya shut her eyes and as she heard Myrcella's soft breathing, she knew that the dreams to come would be soft and loving, just like Myrcella.